Sunday, December 13, 2009

The Christmas Stocking

You know the song from Sesame Street, where they show a grid of objects, all of them similar except for one, and they sing the song: One of these things is not like the others.... Well, there is a really good reason why one of these stockings is different. Can you tell which one I'm talking about?

Yes. Kimble's stocking is different...for a good reason. First, let me give you the history of our Christmas stockings. When the Husband and I got married, my good friend Gladys, and former boss, gave us a set of knitted Christmas stockings, with our name on it, for a wedding present. We both thought they were pretty cool. Better yet, each time we had a baby, she presented us with another stocking to add to the mix. She had a friend that knitted them for us.

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When we found out about Kimble's heart condition, one of the first things I did was call up Gladys and ask her if her friend was still around, and if she could make us one last stocking to complete our family's Christmas stockings. She regretfully told me that her friend had passed away a few months previous.

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I was so sad. How would I find a stocking to match?

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A few months later, I was talking with my sister Shavonne. She knits. In fact, she made that adorable hat that baby Kimble wore in the hospital, which was the envy of all the nurses and doctors there. Anyway, upon talking with Shavonne in October, I asked her if she could figure out how to replicate the stocking, so Kimble could have one too. She wasn't sure. At that time, the baby's name was still a secret. So I gave her incentive. If she could figure out the pattern and make the stocking, I would tell her the baby's name. She agreed.

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A few weeks later, she had spent quite a bit of time counting out the rows and had determined that she could figure it out. Also, Gladys had contacted the lady's daughter, and had gotten the pattern for the stocking from her. She sent it to Shavonne, I told Shavonne the name, and viola! We had a Christmas stocking!

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Shavoonne was thrilled with her project. I was thrilled that she could do it!! We now had a complete family collection of personalized knitted Christmas stockings. Shavonne placed Kimble's stocking next to my stocking that I sent home with her as a guide, and discovered a discrepancy in size. Turns out Shavonne knits a bit looser than the other lady knitted, thus Kimble's stocking is a bit bigger than the other's. Also, his green yarn is a little different color than the other green stockings.

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Do I care? Not one bit. I absolutely LOVE that he has a stocking that matches, and I LOVE that it's a bit unique. He is certainly a special little boy. Plus, the stocking was made from a lot of love. It's perfect.

Kimble loves his stocking too.

Thank you so much Shavonne!!! I wouldn't want it any other way. You are the best!

I ran on to your blog one day and have been following it through all you challeges the last while. It has struck feelings because I lost a little sister to heart problems several years ago. I also had a grandson with a cleft lip. I admire your strengh and attitude. My prayers are with you and your family.

haha, next to the others it does look ginormous! But obviously I planned that he could fit in it... yeah, that's it! anyway, glad I could do it. Thanks for taking a picture of him in the stocking, it is the perfect thank you!

I love the baby in the stocking pictures. We got some of Mary when she was born (two days before Christmas).I think the unique stocking is great. It is nice and big, so Santa can get all sorts of great stuff in it!

Why am I organizing a Blanket Drive?

CHD

Feel free to contact me, if you have any questions about congenital heart defects. I'm happy to be of help any way I can.

Wanna contact me?kamyrensmiles@hotmail.com

All photographs, stories, drawings, and whatever else I post on this blog belong to me and may not be used without my permission.

Who am I?

Wife, momma, sister, friend...blah blah blah. I live in a gorgeous mansion with my rockin' husband and my five incredibly well behaved and beautiful children who fill my life with indescribable joy. I love to rearrange my house about as often as I like to eat chocolate and peanut butter. You'll often find me behind the lens of a camera, in my kitchen cooking, in the mountains hiking, watching new movies, sewing, blogging(!), trying to be a runner, eating french fries, or gathering people to play games. We are business owners, church-goers, vacationers, and foodies. Welcome to our family.